Celtic coach Alan Thompson to fight sacking

Alan Thompson’s removal as Celtic’s first-team coach is the latest setback in
a traumatic 18-month period for the 38 year-old, during which his personal
and professional lives appear to have unravelled.

Close friend: Neil Lennon informed Alan Thompson of the news by telephone after the latter declined a meeting in NewcastlePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Ewing Grahame

10:00PM BST 04 Jun 2012

It has been reported that his employment was terminated with immediate effect on Sunday due to the club’s concern over “lifestyle issues” but that will be vigorously contested.

Manager and close friend Neil Lennon informed Thompson of the news by telephone after the latter declined to meet the former in Newcastle.

With neither party available for comment on Monday, it remains unclear whether the decision had been taken (or, if not, supported) by Lennon.

Thompson had been working with a 12-month rolling contract and it is understood that he will be seeking compensation for the full period.

He has instructed legal firm Bridge Litigation to act on his behalf while he fights what he regards to be unfair dismissal.

“I can confirm that I have been instructed to act on behalf of Alan Thompson following his dismissal by Celtic FC,” said lawyer Margaret Gribbon, who has also worked on behalf of PFA Scotland.

Gribbon, an employment law specialist, was recently included as one of the experts from which the Scottish Football Association selects the members of its Judiciary Panel.

Thompson had been working for hometown club Newcastle United as reserve team coach when Lennon was confirmed as Celtic’s manager in the summer of 2010.

Shortly afterwards the pair were reunited in Glasgow’s East End when he linked up with Johan Mjallby and Gary Parker as the main components of Lennon’s backroom staff.

However, while Thompson moved into an apartment in Glasgow’s West End, his wife Joanne and their three children remained at the family home in Morpeth.

In December 2010 he allegedly confessed to Joanne that he was having an affair with a former model.

"We were idyllically married. I will never discredit my marriage. He is having a midlife crisis so he can get on with it.

"He had absolutely everything in the palm of his hand - a loyal, faithful wife and three beautiful children.

"I never looked at another man, he never looked at another woman. I'm not making excuses for him but all the fame and ego has gone to his head."

“I’m not going to be a Toni Terry because there’s more to life than money and fame. It’s about self-respect and dignity. If I can walk away with that then I will be happy.

“I’m going to write a book about this and I want every single other footballer’s wife in the world that’s had it done to them to stand up and applaud me.”

Thompson was then banned from driving for 16 months in February 2011 after he admitted to a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

In April his wife had divorce papers served on him at Celtic’s training complex at Lennoxtown.

The following month he celebrated the first trophy of Lennon’s tenure when Celtic defeated Motherwell 3-0 to lift the Scottish Cup and two months ago he and Lennon embraced following the 6-0 victory at Kilmarnock which brought the championship back to the club for the first time in four years.

Whatever the reasons behind his sacking, Thompson had already guaranteed himself a place in Parkhead folklore for his exploits as a player with the club in the Noughties.

He was one of the key signings of the Martin O’Neill era. Signed from Aston Villa for £2.7 million in September 2000, he went on to win four Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

Playing alongside Lennon and Mjallby, he was part of the first Celtic team for 36 years to reach the final of a European competition. Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto defeated them 3-2 to claim the Uefa Cup and would win the Champions League the following season.

Thompson also regularly made headlines in Old Firm fixtures, scoring seven goals against Rangers and being ordered off on three occasions at Ibrox.